Road King Magazine » Dunkin’ Donutshttp://roadking.com Lifestyle, Health & Trucking News for Over-the-Road TruckersTue, 24 Mar 2015 17:52:57 +0000en-UShourly1Kind, competent people make TA Brooklyn a friendly stopping point on the roadhttp://roadking.com/truckstops/kind-competent-people-make-ta-brooklyn-friendly-stopping-point-road/ http://roadking.com/truckstops/kind-competent-people-make-ta-brooklyn-friendly-stopping-point-road/#commentsSun, 09 Nov 2014 20:05:51 +0000http://roadking.com/?p=10425“It’s a beautiful day at TA Brooklyn; how can I help you?” That’s the standard greeting from cashier Cathe Carmack when she answers the phone, and she’s just the first of the friendly faces at TA Brooklyn. “A lot of people have run out of gas just short of the exit, and our employees always […]

That’s the standard greeting from cashier Cathe Carmack when she answers the phone, and she’s just the first of the friendly faces at TA Brooklyn.

“A lot of people have run out of gas just short of the exit, and our employees always volunteer their own time to take them out and get gas,” says Store General Manager Michelle Leach. “We’ve also had three employees drive 20 miles to get truck parts so drivers can get back on the road. Everyone here is so friendly and welcoming. There are no questions asked — they just say, ‘Let me help you.’”

What you need, when you need it

As the third TA in Iowa, TA Brooklyn gives drivers a full-service travel center option midway across the state. Located right off I-80, it has state-of the art laundry and shower facilities, eight lanes of diesel and DEF fueling, DirecTV and food options to please any palate, including Hunt Brothers Pizza and Dunkin’ Donuts.

A full-service Country Pride restaurant offers weekly specials featuring items like steaks, shakes and root beer floats. The restaurant is adorned with quotes from famous Iowans, a prime example of their community pride.

“We’ll help anybody and everybody in any way we can,” says Boyd Francis, facility maintenance technician. “A couple of weeks ago a lady ran over a piece of steel on her way to pick up a patient from the hospital. I went out, changed her tire, and got her back on the road. I’ve lived in this area for 27 years. That’s just the kind of people we are around here.”

Wise words

One wall features photos and quotes from famous Iowa actors like John Wayne, Cloris Leachman and Jerry Mathers (Leave It to Beaver). Actress Donna Reed’s advice reflects the philosophy of TA Brooklyn’s staff well: “When you handle yourself, use your head; When you handle others, use your heart.”

Raising the bar

On most days, you can find TA Brooklyn staff giving back in some way. They hold customer appreciation days — playing StayFit games to promote healthy eating, passing out coupons for the Wednesday restaurant special, and even giving out treats to customers’ four-legged friends. They were quick to organize a bake sale for St. Christopher Truckers Development and Relief Fund (SCF), which helps drivers facing financial struggles due to medical issues.

“Everyone brought homemade food to sell: banana bread or chili or pickles or salsa. We even set up a nacho bar!” says Leach. “We raised the most money of any new TA or Petro site in 2014 for SCF — $2,902. And we have our customers to thank for their generous donations to the cause.”

Next steps

Most of all, everyone at TA Brooklyn is excited about what’s to come. They’re expanding the parking lot, which will eventually feature Reserve-It parking. A four-bay truck shop is slated to open in early 2015, complete with a RoadSquad team.

“Both the customers and the employees are excited about TA Brooklyn being here,” says Francis. “To see somebody come into this truckstop that sat empty for several years and make all the changes it needed — it’s outstanding.”

]]>http://roadking.com/truckstops/kind-competent-people-make-ta-brooklyn-friendly-stopping-point-road/feed/0Come See Us at MATShttp://roadking.com/news/come-see-us-at-mats/ http://roadking.com/news/come-see-us-at-mats/#commentsTue, 05 Mar 2013 16:08:12 +0000http://roadking.com/?p=7493The Mid-America Trucking Show is an incredible event that brings together just about every possible aspect of the industry in one place.

]]>The Mid-America Trucking Show is an incredible event that brings together just about every possible aspect of the industry in one place. It’s thrilling to see so many people with the same passion for trucking get to meet and discuss the latest industry trends. Attending almost guarantees that you will learn about something new or valuable to improve your business.

That will definitely be true at the TA and Petro booth this year. We have always arrived at MATS full-force, ready to answer drivers’ questions or help them resolve concerns, while spotlighting the services we offer at our locations all across the country. We have a lot going on again this year and we’re excited to share it.

Drivers who come and spend some time with us at Booth #19156 will walk away with more than a TA or Petro magnet. They’ll hear about a host of new products and services we are launching to bring an even higher level of efficiency to filling their on-the-road needs.

Look for news about exclusive-to-TA-and-Petro products, additional features to our TruckSmart® smartphone app, service expansions at various locations and more. Hear from industry experts and TA and Petro executives about what the future may hold. Join us for some fun and games — with prizes!

We’re happy to once again partner with Trucking Solutions Group for the MATS Health Awareness Walk on Friday, March 22, at 2 p.m. Trucking celebrities, including TA and Petro’s own Homer Hogg, will be on hand to walk and talk with participants. The Walk fits right in with our constantly expanding StayFit program, giving encouragement to drivers who want to take steps to better health.

If you plan to attend MATS, please drop by the TA and Petro booth. We can’t wait to talk to you and get your opinions on all that we have done and plan to do.

—

Visit Our Booth

Come visit us at booth # 19156, at the Mid-America Trucking Show, March 21-23, at the Expo Center in Louisville, Ky.

Visit Our Latest Locations

New TA in Arizona

TA Holbrook, Ariz., located at I-40, Exit 283, has been added to the TA and Petro Stopping Centers network of full-service travel centers. Amenities include 88 truck parking spaces, 12 showers, game room, deli and more. A full-service Country Pride restaurant will soon be added to the location, as will a TA Truck Service repair facility.

New Petro in South Carolina

Petro Florence, S.C., located at I-95, Exit 169, has also been added to the TA and Petro Stopping Centers network. This location has 210 truck parking spaces, 19 showers, Petro:Lube Truck Service repair with four service bays, a full-service restaurant, truck wash, laundry facility and more.

Dining Gift Cards

Share a TA or Petro meal with someone, no matter where they may be. Get a TA or a Petro Stopping Centers dining gift card, available for purchase at all participating full-serve restaurants. Cards can be activated in any amount and can be redeemed for both full-service and fast food dining purchases in their respective centers, TA or Petro.

—

Michelin Tires Available

Michelin Duals and X One tires are now available for purchase at participating TA and Petro locations. RoadSquad emergency roadside service will also carry Michelin tires.

]]>http://roadking.com/news/come-see-us-at-mats/feed/0TA Troy is a place where everyone knows your namehttp://roadking.com/truckstops/were-friends/ http://roadking.com/truckstops/were-friends/#commentsMon, 05 Nov 2012 20:04:13 +0000http://roadking.com/?p=7186There’s Stanley, the mail truck driver, and Danny, the car hauler. There’s Tim, the driver who made a point to call up the corporate office and praise the cleanliness of the showers. Like hundreds of other drivers, they have made stopping at TA Troy a habit.

]]>There’s Stanley, the mail truck driver, and Danny, the car hauler. There’s Tim, the driver who made a point to call up the corporate office and praise the cleanliness of the showers. Like hundreds of other drivers, they have made stopping at TA Troy a habit.

“There’s been highway construction going on for quite a while, so we’re not the easiest location to come into, but drivers keep coming back because they know that we listen to them and we care,” says Pat Glebavicius, general manager of the store at TA Troy. “Everyone here is cheerful, so if our customers aren’t smiling when they walk in, then they are almost always smiling or laughing by the time they leave.”

That happy atmosphere comes straight from the heart of a group of employees who genuinely enjoy their work. A good number of the staff have been at the location for more than 20 years, so there’s a comforting familiarity about the place. Call it the “Cheers” of truckstops, where everybody knows your name and greets you warmly when you walk in. That comfort level goes both ways.

“Drivers know that if my office door is open they can walk in, sit down in the chair and tell me about their day,” Glebavicius says. “And they do.”

What’s new?

While the faces are familiar, much of the surroundings at Troy have been updated. The restaurant has been totally remodeled, the store and fuel pumps are updated and two additional bays are planned for the truck service center.

How clean?

Glebavicius is proud of the showers and rest rooms. “I would take a sack lunch and go sit on the floor of the bathroom and eat,” she declares confidently. “That’s how comfortable I am with the cleanliness of our bathrooms.”

A buffet of delights

The revamped buffet offers omelets on weekend mornings. Some weekend nights customers can get a stir-fry meal to order, with the opportunity to choose the veggies they want included, plus meat, fish or shrimp. Another favorite meal choice is the delicious locally made bratwurst.

Family feeling

Randy Trebing, fuel desk cashier, has been at the location for 32 years. His brother Kent has worked there for 29 years. “A lot of people think we’re twins, but there’s a six-year difference between us,” says older brother Randy. “I have a few more gray hairs.” Kent, also a cashier, thinks of the whole TA Troy as a second family. “I call it my home away from home,” he says. “I’ve gotten to know a lot of the drivers who come by regularly and consider them friends.”

]]>http://roadking.com/truckstops/were-friends/feed/0Petro Kingman is a great place to relax and de-stresshttp://roadking.com/truckstops/peaceful-easy-feeling/ http://roadking.com/truckstops/peaceful-easy-feeling/#commentsMon, 05 Nov 2012 19:51:43 +0000http://roadking.com/?p=7168After spending hours on the road, drivers know they can unwind when they arrive at Petro Kingman. This spot in the Arizona desert is an oasis of calm in a busy day.

]]>After spending hours on the road, drivers know they can unwind when they arrive at Petro Kingman. This spot in the Arizona desert is an oasis of calm in a busy day.

“There’s no noise around us. At night the sky is abundant with stars. It’s a peaceful place, where truckers can get a good sleep,” says store assistant general manager Dory Weber. They also get a warm welcome from a staff dedicated to making each driver’s day a little more pleasant. The fuel building stands separate from the store, so the area is for trucks only. With 12 diesel pumps, DEF at the island and five service bays, it’s easy to get in and out quickly.

But there are plenty of reasons for a driver to stay a while. The game room includes a pool table. A spacious movie room offers recent films and is also a great place to catch a favorite football team on game day. On Sundays, Truckstop Ministries converts the movie room into a chapel and offers services for drivers. The food in the Iron Skillet is great, and a new Dunkin’ Donuts is on hand too.

“We have everything a driver needs here,” Weber says. “Our staff is very friendly. And the scenery around us is beautiful.”

Clean up

The surroundings are clean, and you and your truck can be, too. Wash away the desert dust at one of the 20 showers for drivers, including four platinum showers. Get your clothes clean and fresh in the laundry room, which has five washers and eight dryers. And you can have your truck spiffed up too, by stopping in at the Blue Beacon Truck Wash onsite.

Get your kicks

Kingman, Arizona, sits along the longest remaining preserved stretch of Historic Route 66, and is officially recognized as a National Scenic Byway.

Chipping in

During fundraising drives for the St. Christopher Truckers Development and Relief Fund, Petro Kingman customers are happy to give. Last year the store collected more than any other Petro. This year it took in more than $3,500. “We ask customers as they come in, and they will almost always donate,” Weber says.

Petro people power

“We always get compliments on our friendly staff,” Weber says, and the Exceptional Service Recognition Certificate program turns that praise into Gold Star pins. Drivers who are UltraONE Platinum Card holders are invited to print a certificate at the kiosk for any employee who delivers great service, and that employee gets a pin. “I have four cashiers who have those pins now,” Weber says.

]]>http://roadking.com/truckstops/peaceful-easy-feeling/feed/0Petro North Las Vegas makes truckers feel welcomehttp://roadking.com/truckstops/down-home/ http://roadking.com/truckstops/down-home/#commentsThu, 06 Sep 2012 13:37:56 +0000http://roadking.com/?p=7005Las Vegas may be all about glitz, glam and extravagant experiences, but just 20 miles north of the strip, you’ll find a down-home truckstop that treats its customers like family.

]]>Las Vegas may be all about glitz, glam and extravagant experiences, but just 20 miles north of the strip, you’ll find a down-home truckstop that treats its customers like family.

Though its facilities and parking lots are sprawled across 22 acres of land, Petro North Las Vegas features a close-knit group of seasoned employees who always offer a warm welcome to the truckers who stop in.

“A lot of employees have been here for a long time, and they understand the expectations and what customers value,” says field manager George Jalakh. “Everyone tries their best to take care of the customer, whether it’s in their department or not.”

The site recently underwent some renovations, including a total makeover of the store. A new entrance to the convenience store from the fuel island was installed. The showers were remodeled, and drivers can enter the shower queue from the free TruckSmart mobile app, without the need to go to the UltraONE® kiosk. Patrons also have the option of stopping by the Dunkin’ Donuts on-site to satisfy a sweet tooth. It’s open seven days a week until 11 p.m.

Big screen

For movie buffs, Petro North Las Vegas features a movie theater with a flat-screen TV and theater-style seating just for drivers. Sporting events, such as the Super Bowl or NASCAR races, are also shown, and drivers can ask for DirectTV to be turned on.

“We have approximately 35 seats where drivers can sit down and enjoy a movie at their request,” says Jalakh. “Most truckstops in Las Vegas are in and out. But our theater allows drivers to sit down and relax, so that really sets us apart.”

During Driver Appreciation days, newer movies are shown on the silver screen, and the staff brings in snacks for the drivers. “They all enjoy it, just cutting up and having a good time,” says Jalakh. “We go a little bit out of our way to make it nice for them. They remember those kinds of things.”

NASCAR fever

The Las Vegas Motor Speedway is just a stone’s throw away from Petro North Las Vegas. The Speedway is home to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in March, and during that busy weekend, the Petro staff sets up a tent in their parking lot and sells official NASCAR merchandise.

Feeling at home

Appreciating drivers is a top priority for staff at Petro North Las Vegas, and it’s kept truckers coming back for more. “We have a lot of regular customers,” says Cynthia Rojas, assistant general manager at the fuel desk. “All of my cashiers have worked here for more than five years. We all get to know the drivers and call them by name. They feel welcome and at home here, and that’s why they keep coming in.”

Even if you don’t hit the strip to gamble, visitors to Petro North Las Vegas can try their luck at the location’s Alamo Casino. The game room features a variety of slot and card game machines.

]]>http://roadking.com/truckstops/down-home/feed/1Claim to Famehttp://roadking.com/uncategorized/claim-to-fame/ http://roadking.com/uncategorized/claim-to-fame/#commentsMon, 09 Jan 2012 16:12:58 +0000http://roadking.com/?p=6175The recently revamped TA Willington in Connecticut doesn’t just look great. Its staff treats every customer who walks through its doors like a star. They have a lot of experience in that area.

]]>The recently revamped TA Willington in Connecticut doesn’t just look great. Its staff treats every customer who walks through its doors like a star. They have a lot of experience in that area.

The late Paul Newman, who had a home not far away, used to stop in frequently. Reggae star Ziggy Marley’s band came by for a meal at the Burger King. Liv Tyler, Adam Sandler and Dustin Hoffman have visited. Some well-known musicians have even played in the restaurant. Employees are as delighted as customers when it happens.

“I remember Alan Alda coming in, and he caught me staring at him. But he just invited me to sit down and have a cup of tea and talk to him,” says Regina Rovozzo, Burger King shift lead. “We’re the stop before going into New York or Boston on I-90, so a lot of people stop in here. I get to meet about 50 new people every day.”

And like so many Hollywood stars these days, the TA has undergone some cosmetic upgrades to make it look fresher and more vibrant.

Eat and chat

The Country Pride has a new buffet as well as new booths built for comfort. Interesting artwork on the walls and funny or thought-provoking quotes on the booth backs spark plenty of conversation among diners.

Rapid remodel

“It was like someone threw a couple of hand grenades through the building, shoveled it out, then started all over,” says Don Hess, store and fuel general manager.

The upgrades happened so quickly that some regular customers who stopped by wondered if they had entered the wrong store. The shelving, coolers, cashier stations and counters are new.

The to-go bar was expanded and has new food items with two hot dog cookers and 16 soda dispensers.

Design inspiration

“People really like the new showers. One couple came in and asked where we got the tile for the bathrooms because they were remodeling their bathroom and liked it,” says Peggy Trueb, store customer service representative.

Trucker treasures

A new tire section was added to the truck service center to streamline service, and drivers don’t mind hanging around while the work is done. If someone is firing up the grill in the back, they always ask drivers if they want to join them for some BBQ. Before they know it, the drivers have satisfied their hunger and are ready to roll.

“We try to get drivers back on the road as quickly as possible,” technician Peter Krzywicki says. “We have the tools to diagnose and fix a wide variety of trucks. And we don’t just get them fixed by putting a Band-Aid on it. We fix the problem correctly and get them back on the road. That’s how we do everything at TA.”